Iraq Heavy Vehicle Driving Theory cheat sheet

Iraq drives on the right; overtaking is on the left unless the vehicle ahead is signalling a right turn.

General urban speed limit is 60 km/h and rural highway limit is 100 km/h; posted signs and police direction override defaults.

Seat belts are mandatory for driver and front-seat passengers; children under 12 must not ride in the front seat.

Driving with a blood alcohol level above zero is prohibited - Iraq applies a total ban on alcohol for drivers.

Maximum legal blood alcohol for commercial/heavy vehicle drivers is zero; refusal to submit to a test is an offence.

Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited; hands-free use is permitted only if it does not distract.

At an unmarked intersection the vehicle approaching from the right has priority; at roundabouts priority goes to traffic already circulating.

A driver involved in a collision causing injury must stop, give assistance, and report to the nearest police station without delay.

Red circles = prohibitions (no entry, speed limit, no overtaking); blue circles = mandatory instructions (turn direction, minimum speed).

Red triangles = warnings of hazards ahead; yellow/white diamonds or rectangles = priority road indicators.

A red octagon with white lettering means STOP: full stop at the line, then proceed only when clear - no rolling stops.

A downward-pointing red-and-white triangle means GIVE WAY (yield): slow, be prepared to stop, give priority to the crossing road.

Solid white centre line = no crossing or overtaking; broken white line = overtaking permitted when safe and sight distance allows.

Double solid yellow or white lines on your side prohibit crossing; a broken line on your side permits crossing to overtake.

Traffic officer hand signals override fixed signals and signs; a raised arm with palm forward means stop for your direction.

Flashing amber at a signal means proceed with caution after yielding; a dark/unlit signal is treated as an unmarked intersection.

Two-second following rule: at 60 km/h that is 17 m; at 100 km/h it is 28 m - double to four seconds in rain, dust or at night.

Total stopping distance = thinking distance (speed in km/h ÷ 10 × 3 m) + braking distance; at 100 km/h thinking alone is about 30 m.

Braking distance rises with the square of speed: doubling speed from 50 to 100 km/h quadruples braking distance.

Scan 12–15 seconds ahead in urban areas and 20–30 seconds on highways; check mirrors every 5–8 seconds.

Blind spots on a heavy truck extend several metres along both sides and directly behind; never linger alongside a turning truck.

In dust storms or heavy rain, reduce speed, use low beam (not high beam), increase following gap, and be ready to stop if visibility drops below 50 m.

At night dip headlights when a vehicle approaches within about 150 m and when following within about 60 m.

Hazard perception rule: if a hazard requires a decision, cover the brake and reduce speed before reaching it - never brake mid-corner.

Clutch pedal is used only to start, stop and change gear; resting a foot on it causes slip and overheating.

Progressive gear shifting: brake before the corner, select the correct gear before entry, accelerate gently on exit.

Engine braking on long descents uses the retarder or a low gear; continuous service-brake use causes fade and overheating.

Steering with both hands at 9-and-3 or 10-and-2; do not grip the wheel with the palms or hook the thumbs inside the rim.

Pre-start cockpit drill: seat, steering column, mirrors, seat belt, gear in neutral, parking brake on, then start.

Cruise control must be disengaged in rain, on gravel, in heavy traffic and on winding roads to keep full driver control.

Retarder/exhaust brake is switched off on slippery surfaces because it can lock the drive wheels.

Walk-around check: tyres and pressures, wheel nuts and indicators, lights, mirrors, windscreen, wipers, fluids, load security, coupling and air lines.

Minimum tyre tread for heavy vehicles is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread; check for cuts, bulges and exposed cord.

Air-brake leak test: build to governor cut-out, switch off engine, wait one minute - loss must not exceed about 2 psi (14 kPa).

Low-air warning must activate before pressure falls below about 60 psi (420 kPa); the spring brakes must apply automatically at that point.

Daily inspection must be recorded in writing; defects affecting safety must be reported before the vehicle is used.

Critical defects (brakes, steering, tyres, lights at night, coupling) ground the vehicle until repaired and signed off.

Check the load after the first 10–20 km and re-tension straps; loads settle and straps stretch in transit.

Axle and gross weight limits are set by the road authority; overloaded axles are the main cause of bridge damage and brake failure.

Distribute load evenly: heavy items low and over the drive axles; keep the centre of gravity as low and as central as possible.

Load height and width must not obscure lights, mirrors or registration plates, and must stay within the legal envelope.

Lashing rule: total lashing capacity must be at least the weight of the load; use at least two independent restraints per article.

Straps must be rated and marked; a knot in a strap reduces its rated capacity and is not permitted for load security.

Tailgate, tarpaulin and side curtains must be secured before moving; loose sheeting causes loss-of-load incidents.

Loads that overhang the rear must be marked with a warning flag or board in daylight and a red light at night.

Air pressure build-up must reach governor cut-out (about 120–125 psi / 830–860 kPa) before the vehicle is driven.

Brake fade is caused by heat from continuous use; control speed with gears and retarder, not by riding the service brake.

Spring (parking) brakes apply automatically when air pressure is lost - this is a fail-safe, not a fault.

Brake lag on air brakes is about 0.3–0.5 seconds; increase following distance compared with hydraulic-brake vehicles.

Jackknife risk: locking the drive axles on a slippery surface swings the tractor; brake gently and progressively.

A loaded truck's stopping distance is far longer than a car's; never rely on the vehicle behind to stop in time.

On wet or gravel roads, reduce speed before the bend; a heavy vehicle's lateral grip is lost suddenly, not gradually.

Continuous driving must be interrupted by a rest break; a common rule is a break of at least 15–30 minutes after 4 hours of driving.

Daily driving limit for heavy vehicles is typically 8–10 hours; night driving and total duty time count toward fatigue risk.

Fatigue signs: heavy eyelids, lane drift, missed signs, yawning, micro-sleeps - stop at the first sign, do not push on.

A 15-minute nap in a safe parking area restores alertness more effectively than coffee or open windows.

Medicines, illness, alcohol and sleep debt all impair driving; declare them and do not drive when unfit.

The driver must hold the correct licence class for the vehicle's gross weight and carry it at all times.

Driving while fatigued is treated as a serious offence; police may require a driver to stop and rest.

Sequence at a collision: stop, switch off engine, hazard lights on, warn traffic, give first aid, call police and ambulance, exchange details.

Never move an injured person unless there is fire or traffic danger; suspected spinal injury can be made worse by moving.

Place a warning triangle at least 50 m behind the vehicle on a highway (100 m on fast roads) and switch on hazard lights.

Runaway-vehicle/brake-failure response: downshift, use retarder and parking brake progressively, look for an escape ramp or soft ground.

Tyre blowout: grip the wheel firmly, do not brake hard, ease off the accelerator and steer straight until control is regained.

Vehicle fire: stop, switch off engine, evacuate upwind, use the extinguisher only on a small fire, call the fire service.

Report the incident to the operator immediately and complete a written accident report the same day.

Fuel consumption rises steeply above 80–90 km/h because aerodynamic drag increases with the square of speed.

Progressive acceleration and early upshifting keep the engine in its most efficient rev band and cut fuel use.

Idling for more than about one minute wastes fuel; switch off the engine during long waits.

Correct tyre pressure reduces rolling resistance; under-inflation by 10% can raise fuel use noticeably and wears tyres faster.

Plan routes to avoid congestion and unnecessary detours; every stop-start cycle costs fuel.

Excess weight and roof-mounted drag (tarpaulins flapping, unsecured sheets) increase fuel consumption.

Modern engines need no long warm-up; gentle driving for the first few kilometres is sufficient.

Heavy vehicle drivers need a licence of the correct category for the vehicle's gross weight; driving above the licensed class is an offence.

Vehicle registration (istimara) and valid insurance must be carried and produced on demand to police or traffic officers.

Third-party liability insurance is compulsory; operating without it is illegal and voids any claim.

Annual technical inspection (periodic vehicle test) must be current; an expired test grounds the vehicle.

The driver must carry a valid driving licence, vehicle registration, insurance certificate and any required permits for the load.

Driving licence points and fines accumulate; serious offences can lead to licence suspension or withdrawal.

Employers must keep records of driver licences, medical fitness and training; expired documents are an operator's liability.

Iraq drives on the right; overtaking is on the left unless the vehicle ahead is signalling a right turn.

General urban speed limit is 60 km/h and rural highway limit is 100 km/h; posted signs and police direction override defaults.

Seat belts are mandatory for driver and front-seat passengers; children under 12 must not ride in the front seat.

Driving with a blood alcohol level above zero is prohibited - Iraq applies a total ban on alcohol for drivers.

Maximum legal blood alcohol for commercial/heavy vehicle drivers is zero; refusal to submit to a test is an offence.

Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited; hands-free use is permitted only if it does not distract.

At an unmarked intersection the vehicle approaching from the right has priority; at roundabouts priority goes to traffic already circulating.

A driver involved in a collision causing injury must stop, give assistance, and report to the nearest police station without delay.

Red circles = prohibitions (no entry, speed limit, no overtaking); blue circles = mandatory instructions (turn direction, minimum speed).

Red triangles = warnings of hazards ahead; yellow/white diamonds or rectangles = priority road indicators.

A red octagon with white lettering means STOP: full stop at the line, then proceed only when clear - no rolling stops.

A downward-pointing red-and-white triangle means GIVE WAY (yield): slow, be prepared to stop, give priority to the crossing road.

Solid white centre line = no crossing or overtaking; broken white line = overtaking permitted when safe and sight distance allows.

Double solid yellow or white lines on your side prohibit crossing; a broken line on your side permits crossing to overtake.

Traffic officer hand signals override fixed signals and signs; a raised arm with palm forward means stop for your direction.

Flashing amber at a signal means proceed with caution after yielding; a dark/unlit signal is treated as an unmarked intersection.

Two-second following rule: at 60 km/h that is 17 m; at 100 km/h it is 28 m - double to four seconds in rain, dust or at night.

Total stopping distance = thinking distance (speed in km/h ÷ 10 × 3 m) + braking distance; at 100 km/h thinking alone is about 30 m.

Braking distance rises with the square of speed: doubling speed from 50 to 100 km/h quadruples braking distance.

Scan 12–15 seconds ahead in urban areas and 20–30 seconds on highways; check mirrors every 5–8 seconds.

Blind spots on a heavy truck extend several metres along both sides and directly behind; never linger alongside a turning truck.

In dust storms or heavy rain, reduce speed, use low beam (not high beam), increase following gap, and be ready to stop if visibility drops below 50 m.

At night dip headlights when a vehicle approaches within about 150 m and when following within about 60 m.

Hazard perception rule: if a hazard requires a decision, cover the brake and reduce speed before reaching it - never brake mid-corner.

Clutch pedal is used only to start, stop and change gear; resting a foot on it causes slip and overheating.

Progressive gear shifting: brake before the corner, select the correct gear before entry, accelerate gently on exit.

Engine braking on long descents uses the retarder or a low gear; continuous service-brake use causes fade and overheating.

Steering with both hands at 9-and-3 or 10-and-2; do not grip the wheel with the palms or hook the thumbs inside the rim.

Pre-start cockpit drill: seat, steering column, mirrors, seat belt, gear in neutral, parking brake on, then start.

Cruise control must be disengaged in rain, on gravel, in heavy traffic and on winding roads to keep full driver control.

Retarder/exhaust brake is switched off on slippery surfaces because it can lock the drive wheels.

Walk-around check: tyres and pressures, wheel nuts and indicators, lights, mirrors, windscreen, wipers, fluids, load security, coupling and air lines.

Minimum tyre tread for heavy vehicles is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread; check for cuts, bulges and exposed cord.

Air-brake leak test: build to governor cut-out, switch off engine, wait one minute - loss must not exceed about 2 psi (14 kPa).

Low-air warning must activate before pressure falls below about 60 psi (420 kPa); the spring brakes must apply automatically at that point.

Daily inspection must be recorded in writing; defects affecting safety must be reported before the vehicle is used.

Critical defects (brakes, steering, tyres, lights at night, coupling) ground the vehicle until repaired and signed off.

Check the load after the first 10–20 km and re-tension straps; loads settle and straps stretch in transit.

Axle and gross weight limits are set by the road authority; overloaded axles are the main cause of bridge damage and brake failure.

Distribute load evenly: heavy items low and over the drive axles; keep the centre of gravity as low and as central as possible.

Load height and width must not obscure lights, mirrors or registration plates, and must stay within the legal envelope.

Lashing rule: total lashing capacity must be at least the weight of the load; use at least two independent restraints per article.

Straps must be rated and marked; a knot in a strap reduces its rated capacity and is not permitted for load security.

Tailgate, tarpaulin and side curtains must be secured before moving; loose sheeting causes loss-of-load incidents.

Loads that overhang the rear must be marked with a warning flag or board in daylight and a red light at night.

Air pressure build-up must reach governor cut-out (about 120–125 psi / 830–860 kPa) before the vehicle is driven.

Brake fade is caused by heat from continuous use; control speed with gears and retarder, not by riding the service brake.

Spring (parking) brakes apply automatically when air pressure is lost - this is a fail-safe, not a fault.

Brake lag on air brakes is about 0.3–0.5 seconds; increase following distance compared with hydraulic-brake vehicles.

Jackknife risk: locking the drive axles on a slippery surface swings the tractor; brake gently and progressively.

A loaded truck's stopping distance is far longer than a car's; never rely on the vehicle behind to stop in time.

On wet or gravel roads, reduce speed before the bend; a heavy vehicle's lateral grip is lost suddenly, not gradually.

Continuous driving must be interrupted by a rest break; a common rule is a break of at least 15–30 minutes after 4 hours of driving.

Daily driving limit for heavy vehicles is typically 8–10 hours; night driving and total duty time count toward fatigue risk.

Fatigue signs: heavy eyelids, lane drift, missed signs, yawning, micro-sleeps - stop at the first sign, do not push on.

A 15-minute nap in a safe parking area restores alertness more effectively than coffee or open windows.

Medicines, illness, alcohol and sleep debt all impair driving; declare them and do not drive when unfit.

The driver must hold the correct licence class for the vehicle's gross weight and carry it at all times.

Driving while fatigued is treated as a serious offence; police may require a driver to stop and rest.

Sequence at a collision: stop, switch off engine, hazard lights on, warn traffic, give first aid, call police and ambulance, exchange details.

Never move an injured person unless there is fire or traffic danger; suspected spinal injury can be made worse by moving.

Place a warning triangle at least 50 m behind the vehicle on a highway (100 m on fast roads) and switch on hazard lights.

Runaway-vehicle/brake-failure response: downshift, use retarder and parking brake progressively, look for an escape ramp or soft ground.

Tyre blowout: grip the wheel firmly, do not brake hard, ease off the accelerator and steer straight until control is regained.

Vehicle fire: stop, switch off engine, evacuate upwind, use the extinguisher only on a small fire, call the fire service.

Report the incident to the operator immediately and complete a written accident report the same day.

Fuel consumption rises steeply above 80–90 km/h because aerodynamic drag increases with the square of speed.

Progressive acceleration and early upshifting keep the engine in its most efficient rev band and cut fuel use.

Idling for more than about one minute wastes fuel; switch off the engine during long waits.

Correct tyre pressure reduces rolling resistance; under-inflation by 10% can raise fuel use noticeably and wears tyres faster.

Plan routes to avoid congestion and unnecessary detours; every stop-start cycle costs fuel.

Excess weight and roof-mounted drag (tarpaulins flapping, unsecured sheets) increase fuel consumption.

Modern engines need no long warm-up; gentle driving for the first few kilometres is sufficient.

Heavy vehicle drivers need a licence of the correct category for the vehicle's gross weight; driving above the licensed class is an offence.

Vehicle registration (istimara) and valid insurance must be carried and produced on demand to police or traffic officers.

Third-party liability insurance is compulsory; operating without it is illegal and voids any claim.

Annual technical inspection (periodic vehicle test) must be current; an expired test grounds the vehicle.

The driver must carry a valid driving licence, vehicle registration, insurance certificate and any required permits for the load.

Driving licence points and fines accumulate; serious offences can lead to licence suspension or withdrawal.

Employers must keep records of driver licences, medical fitness and training; expired documents are an operator's liability.

Iraq drives on the right; overtaking is on the left unless the vehicle ahead is signalling a right turn.

General urban speed limit is 60 km/h and rural highway limit is 100 km/h; posted signs and police direction override defaults.

Seat belts are mandatory for driver and front-seat passengers; children under 12 must not ride in the front seat.

Driving with a blood alcohol level above zero is prohibited - Iraq applies a total ban on alcohol for drivers.

Maximum legal blood alcohol for commercial/heavy vehicle drivers is zero; refusal to submit to a test is an offence.

Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited; hands-free use is permitted only if it does not distract.

At an unmarked intersection the vehicle approaching from the right has priority; at roundabouts priority goes to traffic already circulating.

A driver involved in a collision causing injury must stop, give assistance, and report to the nearest police station without delay.

Red circles = prohibitions (no entry, speed limit, no overtaking); blue circles = mandatory instructions (turn direction, minimum speed).

Red triangles = warnings of hazards ahead; yellow/white diamonds or rectangles = priority road indicators.

A red octagon with white lettering means STOP: full stop at the line, then proceed only when clear - no rolling stops.

A downward-pointing red-and-white triangle means GIVE WAY (yield): slow, be prepared to stop, give priority to the crossing road.

Solid white centre line = no crossing or overtaking; broken white line = overtaking permitted when safe and sight distance allows.

Double solid yellow or white lines on your side prohibit crossing; a broken line on your side permits crossing to overtake.

Traffic officer hand signals override fixed signals and signs; a raised arm with palm forward means stop for your direction.

Flashing amber at a signal means proceed with caution after yielding; a dark/unlit signal is treated as an unmarked intersection.

Two-second following rule: at 60 km/h that is 17 m; at 100 km/h it is 28 m - double to four seconds in rain, dust or at night.

Total stopping distance = thinking distance (speed in km/h ÷ 10 × 3 m) + braking distance; at 100 km/h thinking alone is about 30 m.

Braking distance rises with the square of speed: doubling speed from 50 to 100 km/h quadruples braking distance.

Scan 12–15 seconds ahead in urban areas and 20–30 seconds on highways; check mirrors every 5–8 seconds.

Blind spots on a heavy truck extend several metres along both sides and directly behind; never linger alongside a turning truck.

In dust storms or heavy rain, reduce speed, use low beam (not high beam), increase following gap, and be ready to stop if visibility drops below 50 m.

At night dip headlights when a vehicle approaches within about 150 m and when following within about 60 m.

Hazard perception rule: if a hazard requires a decision, cover the brake and reduce speed before reaching it - never brake mid-corner.

Clutch pedal is used only to start, stop and change gear; resting a foot on it causes slip and overheating.

Progressive gear shifting: brake before the corner, select the correct gear before entry, accelerate gently on exit.

Engine braking on long descents uses the retarder or a low gear; continuous service-brake use causes fade and overheating.

Steering with both hands at 9-and-3 or 10-and-2; do not grip the wheel with the palms or hook the thumbs inside the rim.

Pre-start cockpit drill: seat, steering column, mirrors, seat belt, gear in neutral, parking brake on, then start.

Cruise control must be disengaged in rain, on gravel, in heavy traffic and on winding roads to keep full driver control.

Retarder/exhaust brake is switched off on slippery surfaces because it can lock the drive wheels.

Walk-around check: tyres and pressures, wheel nuts and indicators, lights, mirrors, windscreen, wipers, fluids, load security, coupling and air lines.

Minimum tyre tread for heavy vehicles is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread; check for cuts, bulges and exposed cord.

Air-brake leak test: build to governor cut-out, switch off engine, wait one minute - loss must not exceed about 2 psi (14 kPa).

Low-air warning must activate before pressure falls below about 60 psi (420 kPa); the spring brakes must apply automatically at that point.

Daily inspection must be recorded in writing; defects affecting safety must be reported before the vehicle is used.

Critical defects (brakes, steering, tyres, lights at night, coupling) ground the vehicle until repaired and signed off.

Check the load after the first 10–20 km and re-tension straps; loads settle and straps stretch in transit.

Axle and gross weight limits are set by the road authority; overloaded axles are the main cause of bridge damage and brake failure.

Distribute load evenly: heavy items low and over the drive axles; keep the centre of gravity as low and as central as possible.

Load height and width must not obscure lights, mirrors or registration plates, and must stay within the legal envelope.

Lashing rule: total lashing capacity must be at least the weight of the load; use at least two independent restraints per article.

Straps must be rated and marked; a knot in a strap reduces its rated capacity and is not permitted for load security.

Tailgate, tarpaulin and side curtains must be secured before moving; loose sheeting causes loss-of-load incidents.

Loads that overhang the rear must be marked with a warning flag or board in daylight and a red light at night.

Air pressure build-up must reach governor cut-out (about 120–125 psi / 830–860 kPa) before the vehicle is driven.

Brake fade is caused by heat from continuous use; control speed with gears and retarder, not by riding the service brake.

Spring (parking) brakes apply automatically when air pressure is lost - this is a fail-safe, not a fault.

Brake lag on air brakes is about 0.3–0.5 seconds; increase following distance compared with hydraulic-brake vehicles.

Jackknife risk: locking the drive axles on a slippery surface swings the tractor; brake gently and progressively.

A loaded truck's stopping distance is far longer than a car's; never rely on the vehicle behind to stop in time.

On wet or gravel roads, reduce speed before the bend; a heavy vehicle's lateral grip is lost suddenly, not gradually.

Continuous driving must be interrupted by a rest break; a common rule is a break of at least 15–30 minutes after 4 hours of driving.

Daily driving limit for heavy vehicles is typically 8–10 hours; night driving and total duty time count toward fatigue risk.

Fatigue signs: heavy eyelids, lane drift, missed signs, yawning, micro-sleeps - stop at the first sign, do not push on.

A 15-minute nap in a safe parking area restores alertness more effectively than coffee or open windows.

Medicines, illness, alcohol and sleep debt all impair driving; declare them and do not drive when unfit.

The driver must hold the correct licence class for the vehicle's gross weight and carry it at all times.

Driving while fatigued is treated as a serious offence; police may require a driver to stop and rest.

Sequence at a collision: stop, switch off engine, hazard lights on, warn traffic, give first aid, call police and ambulance, exchange details.

Never move an injured person unless there is fire or traffic danger; suspected spinal injury can be made worse by moving.

Place a warning triangle at least 50 m behind the vehicle on a highway (100 m on fast roads) and switch on hazard lights.

Runaway-vehicle/brake-failure response: downshift, use retarder and parking brake progressively, look for an escape ramp or soft ground.

Tyre blowout: grip the wheel firmly, do not brake hard, ease off the accelerator and steer straight until control is regained.

Vehicle fire: stop, switch off engine, evacuate upwind, use the extinguisher only on a small fire, call the fire service.

Report the incident to the operator immediately and complete a written accident report the same day.

Fuel consumption rises steeply above 80–90 km/h because aerodynamic drag increases with the square of speed.

Progressive acceleration and early upshifting keep the engine in its most efficient rev band and cut fuel use.

Idling for more than about one minute wastes fuel; switch off the engine during long waits.

Correct tyre pressure reduces rolling resistance; under-inflation by 10% can raise fuel use noticeably and wears tyres faster.

Plan routes to avoid congestion and unnecessary detours; every stop-start cycle costs fuel.

Excess weight and roof-mounted drag (tarpaulins flapping, unsecured sheets) increase fuel consumption.

Modern engines need no long warm-up; gentle driving for the first few kilometres is sufficient.

Heavy vehicle drivers need a licence of the correct category for the vehicle's gross weight; driving above the licensed class is an offence.

Vehicle registration (istimara) and valid insurance must be carried and produced on demand to police or traffic officers.

Third-party liability insurance is compulsory; operating without it is illegal and voids any claim.

Annual technical inspection (periodic vehicle test) must be current; an expired test grounds the vehicle.

The driver must carry a valid driving licence, vehicle registration, insurance certificate and any required permits for the load.

Driving licence points and fines accumulate; serious offences can lead to licence suspension or withdrawal.

Employers must keep records of driver licences, medical fitness and training; expired documents are an operator's liability.

Iraq drives on the right; overtaking is on the left unless the vehicle ahead is signalling a right turn.

General urban speed limit is 60 km/h and rural highway limit is 100 km/h; posted signs and police direction override defaults.

Seat belts are mandatory for driver and front-seat passengers; children under 12 must not ride in the front seat.

Driving with a blood alcohol level above zero is prohibited - Iraq applies a total ban on alcohol for drivers.

Maximum legal blood alcohol for commercial/heavy vehicle drivers is zero; refusal to submit to a test is an offence.

Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited; hands-free use is permitted only if it does not distract.

At an unmarked intersection the vehicle approaching from the right has priority; at roundabouts priority goes to traffic already circulating.

A driver involved in a collision causing injury must stop, give assistance, and report to the nearest police station without delay.

Red circles = prohibitions (no entry, speed limit, no overtaking); blue circles = mandatory instructions (turn direction, minimum speed).

Red triangles = warnings of hazards ahead; yellow/white diamonds or rectangles = priority road indicators.

A red octagon with white lettering means STOP: full stop at the line, then proceed only when clear - no rolling stops.

A downward-pointing red-and-white triangle means GIVE WAY (yield): slow, be prepared to stop, give priority to the crossing road.

Solid white centre line = no crossing or overtaking; broken white line = overtaking permitted when safe and sight distance allows.

Double solid yellow or white lines on your side prohibit crossing; a broken line on your side permits crossing to overtake.

Traffic officer hand signals override fixed signals and signs; a raised arm with palm forward means stop for your direction.

Flashing amber at a signal means proceed with caution after yielding; a dark/unlit signal is treated as an unmarked intersection.

Two-second following rule: at 60 km/h that is 17 m; at 100 km/h it is 28 m - double to four seconds in rain, dust or at night.

Total stopping distance = thinking distance (speed in km/h ÷ 10 × 3 m) + braking distance; at 100 km/h thinking alone is about 30 m.

Braking distance rises with the square of speed: doubling speed from 50 to 100 km/h quadruples braking distance.

Scan 12–15 seconds ahead in urban areas and 20–30 seconds on highways; check mirrors every 5–8 seconds.

Blind spots on a heavy truck extend several metres along both sides and directly behind; never linger alongside a turning truck.

In dust storms or heavy rain, reduce speed, use low beam (not high beam), increase following gap, and be ready to stop if visibility drops below 50 m.

At night dip headlights when a vehicle approaches within about 150 m and when following within about 60 m.

Hazard perception rule: if a hazard requires a decision, cover the brake and reduce speed before reaching it - never brake mid-corner.

Clutch pedal is used only to start, stop and change gear; resting a foot on it causes slip and overheating.

Progressive gear shifting: brake before the corner, select the correct gear before entry, accelerate gently on exit.

Engine braking on long descents uses the retarder or a low gear; continuous service-brake use causes fade and overheating.

Steering with both hands at 9-and-3 or 10-and-2; do not grip the wheel with the palms or hook the thumbs inside the rim.

Pre-start cockpit drill: seat, steering column, mirrors, seat belt, gear in neutral, parking brake on, then start.

Cruise control must be disengaged in rain, on gravel, in heavy traffic and on winding roads to keep full driver control.

Retarder/exhaust brake is switched off on slippery surfaces because it can lock the drive wheels.

Walk-around check: tyres and pressures, wheel nuts and indicators, lights, mirrors, windscreen, wipers, fluids, load security, coupling and air lines.

Minimum tyre tread for heavy vehicles is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread; check for cuts, bulges and exposed cord.

Air-brake leak test: build to governor cut-out, switch off engine, wait one minute - loss must not exceed about 2 psi (14 kPa).

Low-air warning must activate before pressure falls below about 60 psi (420 kPa); the spring brakes must apply automatically at that point.

Daily inspection must be recorded in writing; defects affecting safety must be reported before the vehicle is used.

Critical defects (brakes, steering, tyres, lights at night, coupling) ground the vehicle until repaired and signed off.

Check the load after the first 10–20 km and re-tension straps; loads settle and straps stretch in transit.

Axle and gross weight limits are set by the road authority; overloaded axles are the main cause of bridge damage and brake failure.

Distribute load evenly: heavy items low and over the drive axles; keep the centre of gravity as low and as central as possible.

Load height and width must not obscure lights, mirrors or registration plates, and must stay within the legal envelope.

Lashing rule: total lashing capacity must be at least the weight of the load; use at least two independent restraints per article.

Straps must be rated and marked; a knot in a strap reduces its rated capacity and is not permitted for load security.

Tailgate, tarpaulin and side curtains must be secured before moving; loose sheeting causes loss-of-load incidents.

Loads that overhang the rear must be marked with a warning flag or board in daylight and a red light at night.

Air pressure build-up must reach governor cut-out (about 120–125 psi / 830–860 kPa) before the vehicle is driven.

Brake fade is caused by heat from continuous use; control speed with gears and retarder, not by riding the service brake.

Spring (parking) brakes apply automatically when air pressure is lost - this is a fail-safe, not a fault.

Brake lag on air brakes is about 0.3–0.5 seconds; increase following distance compared with hydraulic-brake vehicles.

Jackknife risk: locking the drive axles on a slippery surface swings the tractor; brake gently and progressively.

A loaded truck's stopping distance is far longer than a car's; never rely on the vehicle behind to stop in time.

On wet or gravel roads, reduce speed before the bend; a heavy vehicle's lateral grip is lost suddenly, not gradually.

Continuous driving must be interrupted by a rest break; a common rule is a break of at least 15–30 minutes after 4 hours of driving.

Daily driving limit for heavy vehicles is typically 8–10 hours; night driving and total duty time count toward fatigue risk.

Fatigue signs: heavy eyelids, lane drift, missed signs, yawning, micro-sleeps - stop at the first sign, do not push on.

A 15-minute nap in a safe parking area restores alertness more effectively than coffee or open windows.

Medicines, illness, alcohol and sleep debt all impair driving; declare them and do not drive when unfit.

The driver must hold the correct licence class for the vehicle's gross weight and carry it at all times.

Driving while fatigued is treated as a serious offence; police may require a driver to stop and rest.

Sequence at a collision: stop, switch off engine, hazard lights on, warn traffic, give first aid, call police and ambulance, exchange details.

Never move an injured person unless there is fire or traffic danger; suspected spinal injury can be made worse by moving.

Place a warning triangle at least 50 m behind the vehicle on a highway (100 m on fast roads) and switch on hazard lights.

Runaway-vehicle/brake-failure response: downshift, use retarder and parking brake progressively, look for an escape ramp or soft ground.

Tyre blowout: grip the wheel firmly, do not brake hard, ease off the accelerator and steer straight until control is regained.

Vehicle fire: stop, switch off engine, evacuate upwind, use the extinguisher only on a small fire, call the fire service.

Report the incident to the operator immediately and complete a written accident report the same day.

Fuel consumption rises steeply above 80–90 km/h because aerodynamic drag increases with the square of speed.

Progressive acceleration and early upshifting keep the engine in its most efficient rev band and cut fuel use.

Idling for more than about one minute wastes fuel; switch off the engine during long waits.

Correct tyre pressure reduces rolling resistance; under-inflation by 10% can raise fuel use noticeably and wears tyres faster.

Plan routes to avoid congestion and unnecessary detours; every stop-start cycle costs fuel.

Excess weight and roof-mounted drag (tarpaulins flapping, unsecured sheets) increase fuel consumption.

Modern engines need no long warm-up; gentle driving for the first few kilometres is sufficient.

Heavy vehicle drivers need a licence of the correct category for the vehicle's gross weight; driving above the licensed class is an offence.

Vehicle registration (istimara) and valid insurance must be carried and produced on demand to police or traffic officers.

Third-party liability insurance is compulsory; operating without it is illegal and voids any claim.

Annual technical inspection (periodic vehicle test) must be current; an expired test grounds the vehicle.

The driver must carry a valid driving licence, vehicle registration, insurance certificate and any required permits for the load.

Driving licence points and fines accumulate; serious offences can lead to licence suspension or withdrawal.

Employers must keep records of driver licences, medical fitness and training; expired documents are an operator's liability.